Side-by-side hydrocarbon transfer system

Abstract

The invention relates to a mooring system with a first vessel for containing hydrocarbons having at its bow and/or stern a transverse arm and a fluid transfer mechanism of a duct connected to a tank on the first vessel and a coupling end for connecting to a second vessel. The second vessel is moored alongside the first vessel and is attached via at least one cable, extending from its bow in the length direction of the vessel, to a mooring end of the arm. The mooring end of the arm is situated at or near a longitudinal centerline of the second vessel. The arm, during use, is in a fixed position and a pulling force element is attached to the cable for applying a pulling force on the cable upon relative movement of the second vessel with respect to the arm. The force element allows a predetermined maximum displacement of the second vessel.

1. A mooring system comprising:
 a floating structure for containing hydrocarbons; and 
 a fluid transfer means on a deck of the floating structure with a coupling end for connecting to a vessel having a length direction, the vessel moored alongside of the floating structure via a mooring device allowing relative movement of the vessel with respect to the floating structure in the length direction of the vessel, 
 wherein the fluid transfer means comprise a frame extending upwardly from the deck at a side of the floating structure, at least two transverse arms being hingingly connected to an upper end of the frame around an axis that extends in the length direction of the vessel, a counterweight being placed on a first end of each of the at least two transverse arms and a respective vertical fluid duct being supported from a second end of each of the at least two transverse arms, the vertical ducts each having at an end a connecting member for attaching to the vessel, the vertical ducts being displaceable in the length direction of the vessel, and 
 wherein the frame and the transverse arms are not rotatable around a vertical axis. 
 
     
     
       2. The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame is hingingly attached to the structure around an axis and extends in the length direction of the vessel, an inclination force element is connected between the frame and the vessel for controlling the inclination of the frame, and a pivoting force element is connected to the frame and at least one of the at least two transverse arms, for pivoting of the at least one transverse arm relative to the frame. 
     
     
       3. The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the floating structure comprises a transverse mooring arm which during use, is fixed in position, and a pulling force element is attached to a cable extending to the bow of the vessel, substantially in the length direction of the vessel, for applying a pulling force on the vessel upon relative movement of the vessel with respect to the mooring arm. 
     
     
       4. The mooring system according to  claim 3 , wherein the pulling force element comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
       5. The mooring system according to  claim 3 , wherein the pulling force element comprises a constant tension winch. 
     
     
       6. The mooring system according to  claim 3 , wherein the pulling force element comprises a counterweight, attached to the cable which runs from a sheave near the mooring end of the arm to the bow of the vessel. 
     
     
       7. The mooring system according to  claim 6 , wherein the counterweight is situated below water level. 
     
     
       8. The mooring system according to  claim 3 , wherein the mooring arm is attached to the vessel in a hinge point and can be pivoted to a parking position in which the mooring arm is situated substantially in the length direction of the vessel. 
     
     
       9. The mooring system according to  claim 3 , wherein the mooring arm is pivotably connected to a mooring point that is anchored to the seabed. 
     
     
       10. The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical ducts each include a rigid pipe connected to the transverse arm via a swivel having a rotational axis extending in a length direction of the transverse arms. 
     
     
       11. The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical ducts each include a flexible hose.